15108 I RESOLUTION NO. 15,108
2
3 A RESOLUTION TO EXPRESS SUPPORT FOR THE CONTINUATION
4 OF THE RETAIL COMPENSATION POLICY FOR RESIDENTIAL
5 SOLAR CUSTOMERS; TO TRANSMIT THIS SUPPORT TO THE
6 ARKANSAS PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION AS IT CONSIDERS
7 DOCKET NO. 16-027-R; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
8
9 WHEREAS,residential solar power is an affordable option in the State of Arkansas due to the State's
10 solar power potential and its favorable Net Metering Rates which contain a 1:1 retail compensation rate for
11 residential solar customers;and,
12 WHEREAS, net metering allows consumers who generate electricity with distributed solar to
13 transfer surplus power to the existing utility power grid in exchange for a credit which can be used to offset
14 the cost of power drawn from the utility when the consumers' solar panels are not generating power; and,
15 WHEREAS, Arkansans with solar panels on their own property currently receive a Market Rate Credit
16 for any surplus power that is generated,which affords many Arkansans the opportunity to install residential
17 solar;and,
18 WHEREAS,the solar industry in Arkansas consistently creates new, high paying jobs; and,
19 WHEREAS, electric utilities in Arkansas are asking the Public Service Commission to change the
20 longstanding, favorable rates for residential net metering; and,
21 WHEREAS, numerous studies reviewed by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory have shown
22 that net metering does not negatively impact utility rates or shift costs at lower penetration levels (under
23 5%)and Arkansas is nowhere near that level of solar development; and,
24 WHEREAS, a drastic reduction in the 1:1 rate for kilowatt-hours will significantly increase the
25 amount of time it would take for a new solar customer to amortize the capital investment to use such solar
26 technology, and would minimize subsequent benefits to the residential investor, thus drastically reducing
27 the number of residential customers who would install such technology in the future; and,
28 WHEREAS, the City of Little Rock recognizes the economic and environmental value gained from
29 residential solar installations; and,
30 WHEREAS,this issue is now before the Arkansas Public Service Commission in Docket No. 16-027-
31 R;
32 NOW,THEREFORE,BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE CITY
33 OF LITTLE ROCK,ARKANSAS:
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Section 1.The Board of Directors hereby urges the Arkansas Public Service Commission to maintain
2 the current residential net metering rate as the best way to achieve Arkansas's state public policy goals of
3 more efficiently utilizing our natural resources while preserving low cost electricity rates and promoting
4 economic development.
5 Section 2. The Board of Directors further requests the City Clerk to file this resolution as a public
6 comment to the Public Service Commission before the December 5, 2019,hearing.
7 Section 3. Severability. In the event any title, section, paragraph, item, sentence, clause,phrase,or
8 word of this resolution is declared or adjudged to be invalid or unconstitutional, such declaration or adju-
9 dication shall not affect the remaining portions of the resolution which shall remain in full force and effect
10 as if the portion so declared or adjudged invalid or unconstitutional were not originally a part of the reso-
I I lution.
12 Section 4. Repealer. All laws, ordinances, resolutions, or parts of the same, that are inconsistent
13 with the provisions of this resolution,are hereby repealed to the extent of such inconsistency.
14 ADOPTED: November 19,2019
156 • *4 APPROVED:
16
17 St le
18 u Y+' City Clerk rank Scott,Jr.,Mayor
19 APP' . Q't • O LEGAL FORM:
20
21 r `1 14.014.4.0.7
22 Thomas M. Carpenter,Ci Atto
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